Colostomy belt



Feb. 1s, 195s File'd July 3, 1957 A. J. CLARK coLosToMY BELT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ADE'LAIDE J. CLARK HEgATToRNg'Ys.

Feb. 18,1958 A. J. CLARK 2,823,676

coLosTonY BELT Filed July s, 1957 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVEm'oR.

AD'ELAIDE- J. CLRK BY I HER ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent O COLOSTOMY BELT Adelaide J. Clark, Fairport, N. Y.

Application July 3, 1957, Seal No. 669,816

10 Claims. (Cl. 12S-283) This invention relates to colostomy belts and has for its purpose the provision of a belt of this character with an improved type of construction and of mode of operation. Y I

Another object is to provide such an appliance characterized by a more efficient and convenient construction and by more sanitary and comfortable operation in application to the patient.

A further object is to supply a belt having the above advantages and capable-of being more readily and economically manufactured and assembled for use.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of the outer side of a belt embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the inner side of the belt;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view, partly perspective and partly in section, on the line 3--3 in Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the belt supporting an absorbent pad in application to the patient;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view, partly perspective and partly in section, on the line 5-5 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, perspective View of an absorbent pad used with the belt, as indicated in Figs. 4 and 5;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a portion of the outer side of a belt embodying a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of the pad holding sheet of Fig. 7, but shown detached and in flattened shape, and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view on line 9 9 in Fig. 7.

The invention is embodied in the present instance, by way of illustration, in a colostomy belt comprising a portion 10 for application to the back of the patient, preferably in the form of a relatively wide, flexible, elastically extensible band of material, such, for example, vas the known surgical elastic webbing, adapted to conform comfortably and closely to the anatomy and to provide substantial support for the remainder of the belt. This back band 10 preferably extends across the back of the patient and its opposite ends support a pair of relatively narrow, frontal straps 11 and 12, of elastically extensible material such, for example, as the known single ply, flexible elastic webbing. These straps extend around the front portion of the anatomy and provide in part for the support of the absorbent pad covering the wound or colostomy.

One end of the back band 10, as shown in Figs. l and 2, has fixed thereto, preferably by stitching to its inner side, a pairV of webbing loops, 13 and 14, provided with buckles, 15 and 16, for the detachable connection therewith of the adjacent ends of the frontal straps 11 and 12, respectively, the straps preferably having such end-s passed through and secured by the buckles with their terminals,

2,823,676 Patented Feb. 18, 1958 ice . 2 17 and 18, detachably secured under a pair of tapes 19 stitched, as at 20, to the outer side of the back band 10. The ends of the webbing loops, 13 and 14, where stitched to the inner side of the back band, 10, are preferably covered by a smooth pad 21, for comfortable contact with the body. Such means provides for the convenient adjustment separately of the lengths of the front straps 11 and 12.

The other or opposite ends of the frontal straps 11 and.

elongated sheet 26 of thin, pliable, impervious material, l such as rubber or any one of the known and suitable synthetic plastic materials. Sheet 26 has its upper and lower edges provided with enclosure or looped portions 27 and 28, through which the straps 11 and 12 are slidably received and by which sheet 26 is yieldably supported between the straps. Portions 27 and 28 may be formed in any convenient manner and preferably by folding edge portions of the sheet upon themselves, as at 29 and 30, and cementing or stitching the edges to the sheet,as at 31, to form headings for slidably receiving the straps 11 and 12.

Sheet 26 has a width between the straps 11 and 1 substantially greater than the distance between the straps and the width of band 10, so as to provide a portion'of excess width adapted to be expanded transversely between the straps and form a pocket for receiving and supporting the colostomy pad in applied position. For this purpose sheet 26 is preferably folded upon itself a number of times, as at 32 (Figs. 3 and 5), to form longitudinally extending, accordion-like folds which dispose the sheet compactly at its opposite ends and prior to use, but leave its intermediate portion freely expansible to closely enclose and support the colostomy pad 33, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The folds 32 are preferably collapsed and secured together adjacent vthe ends of the sheet, as by stitching 34. Sheet 26 is miantained in proper position longitudinally of the belt between the strap buckles 15 and the tape 25. Y

The colostomy pad, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, preferably comprises a multiplicity of plies of cotton 35 or other known absorbent sheet material, in superposed relation and enclosed between an outer ply 36 of impervious plastic material, preferably one of the known synthetic varieties, folded at its lower edge and attached to the folded lower edge of `an innermost ply 37 of sterilized gauze, for contact with the colostomy. The pad is thus adapted to be inserted in at condition in an expanded intermediate portion of sheet 26, formed by extension of its folds 32 between straps 11 and 12, with the absorbent pad coveringthe colostomy, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. After use, the disposable pad may be readily removed by grasping it through its impervious outer sheet 36 only, for replacement by a fresh pad, without soiling the fingers.

Figs. 7 to 9, inclusive, show a somewhat modified form for some of the parts in which the pad holding sheet 26 described above is in the form of a two-ply sheet 40. This is provided by a seamless tube of the same plastic material laid flat and cut to a suitable length. Each end of the flattened tube has a series of slits 41 (Fig. 8) spaced from each other transversely of the tube or sheet and each cut through both of its plies.

The straps 42 and 43 are similar to the straps 11 and 12 described above except that the tape 25 is replaced by two tapes 44 and 45 adjacent the ends of the straps respectively. Each tape is stitched at one end, as 46, to one of the straps 43 and has its other end detachably secured by a button type snap fastener 47 to the other strap 42. In assembling these parts, the straps 42 and 43 are passed through the tubular sheet 40 as shown in Fig. 7, with the tapes 44 and 45 disconnected from strap 42. Each tape is then threaded alternately over and under both plies of sheet 40 and then secured by its snap fastener to strap 4Z. Sheet 40 thus has its opposite ends closed and gathered in a Agenerally folded condition as shown in Fig. 9, leaving the fullness in the central portion of the sheet for holding the pad as described in connection with the above modification. To assist in threading the tapes 44 and 45 through the slits in the tube, the tube may be printed with lines 49 (Fig. 8) colored7 if desired, between the slits of adjacent pairs to indicate the portions over which the tapes are threaded.

It will be seen that the belt may be applied in use with either edge up so as to dispose the snap fastening means 22,-23 at either the right or left sides of the body, as may be more convenient. The belt may be opened either at such snap fastening means or by disengagement of the straps 11 and 12 from the buckles 15 and 3.6.

It will be noted also that all portions of the belt including the back band 10, the frontal straps 11 and l2, and the sheet 26 are pliable, so as to readily and comfortably conform to the anatomy and maintain the belt in desired position. The frontal straps are readily adjustable in length for supporting sheet 26 close to the body to securely retain the pad in proper position in the pocket provided by the belt. However, the belt portions are suiciently yieldable to allow the straps l1 and 12 to be somewhat stretched and spread apart, the sheet 26 to be unfolded and extended more or less and the pad to be easily inserted and removed, as described. At the same time the belt is relatively simple in construction and made from existing materials so as to be readily and economically manufactured and assembled in condition for convenient application and use.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my application, Serial No. 631,936, Colostomy Belt, tiled Dec. 3l, 1956 and now abandoned.

It will thus be seen that the invention accomplishes its objects and while it has been herein disclosed by referenceto the details of preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such disclosure is intended in an illustrative, rather than a limiting sense, as it is contemplated that various modifications in the construction and arrangement of the parts will readily occur to those skilled in the art, within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A colostomy belt comprising a back band of flexible, elastically extensible material having its opposite ends connected by frontal straps of exible material attached to said ends and extending in spaced relation with each other between said band ends, and a sheet of thin, pliable, impervious material having its opposite edges connected to said straps, respectively, and yieldably supported thereby, said sheet having a width between said straps substantially greater than the widthAof said band to provide a portion adapted to be extended between said straps and transversely thereof to form a pocket for receiving and supporting a colostomy pad in applied position.

2. A colostomy belt comprising a back band of ilexible, elastically extensible material having its opposite ends connected by frontal straps of flexible material attached to said ends and extending in spaced relation with each other between said band ends, and a sheet of thin, pliable, impervious material having its opposite edges connected t said straps, respectively, and yieldably supported therefiby, said sheet having a width between said straps substantially greater than the width of said band and formed with longitudinally extending expansible folds to provide a portion adapted to be extended between said straps and transversely thereof to form a pocket for receiving and supporting a colostomy pad in applied position.

3. A colostomy belt comprising a back band of flexible, elastically extensible material having its opposite ends connected by frontal straps of flexible material attached to said ends and extending in spaced relation with each other between said band ends, a sheet of thin, pliable, impervious material having its opposite edges connected to said straps, respectively, and yieldably supported thereby, said sheet having a width between said straps substantially greater than the width of said band and formed with longitudinally extending, expansible folds and stitching connecting said folds together at each end of said sheet, to provide a portion between said straps adapted to be extended transversely thereof to form a pocket for receiving and supporting a colostomy pad in applied position.

4. A colostomy belt comprising a back band of flexible, elastically extensible material having its opposite ends connected by frontal straps attached to said ends and extending in spaced relation with each other between said band ends, means for adjusting the length of said straps, means for detachably connecting said straps to said band at one end thereof, and a sheet of thin, pliable, impervious material having its opposite edges connected to said straps, respectively, and yieldably supported thereby, said sheet having a width between said straps substantially greater than the widthy of said band to provide a portion adapted to be extended between said straps and transversely thereof to form a pocket for receiving and supporting a colostomy pad in applied position.

5. A colostomy belt comprising a back band of flexible, elastically extensible material having its opposite ends connected by frontal straps attached to said ends and extending in spaced relation with each other between said band ends, means for adjusting the length of said straps, button type snap fasteners for detachably connecting said straps to said band at one end thereof and a sheet of pliable, impervious material having itsk opposite edges connectedto said straps, respectively, and yieldably supported thereby, said sheet having a width between said straps substantially greater than the width of said band to provide a portion adapted to be extended between said straps and transversely thereof to form a pocket for receiving and supporting a colostomy pad in applied position.

6. A colostomy belt comprising a back band of elastically extensible material having its opposite ends connected by relatively narrow frontal straps of elastically extensible material attached to said ends adjacent opposite edges of said band and extending in spacedrrelation with each other between said band ends, a sheet of pliable, impervious, plastic material having its opposite edges formed with beadingsslidably receiving said straps respectively and yieldably supported thereby, said sheet having a width intermediate said straps substantially greater than the width of said band to provide an intermediate portion adapted to be extended between said straps and transversely thereof to form a pocket for receiving and supporting a colostomy pad in applied position and a colostomy pad in said pocket comprising an inner ply of absorbent material and an outer ply of impervious, plastic material.

7. A colostomy belt comprising a back band of iiexible, elastically extensible material having its opposite ends connected by frontal straps attached to said ends and extending in spaced relation with each other between said band ends, means for adjusting the length of said straps, means for detachably connecting said straps to said band at one end thereof, and a sheet of thin, pliable, impervious material having its opposite edge portion formed with beadings slidably receiving said straps, respectively, and yieldably supported thereby, said sheet having a width intermediate said straps substantially greater than the width of said band and formed with longitudinally extending, expansible folds to provide a portion adapted to be extended between said straps and transversely thereof to form a pocket for receiving and supporting a colostomy pad in applied position.

8. A colostomy beit comprising a back band portion of exible, elastically extensible material having its opposite ends connected by relatively narrow frontal straps of llexible, elastically extensible material attached to said ends adjacent opposite edges of said band and extending in spaced relation with each other between said band ends, means for adjusting the lengths of said straps, means for detachably connecting said straps to said band at one end thereof and a sheet of thin, pliable, impervious, plastic material having its opposite edge portions formed with `headings slidably receiving said straps respectively and yieldably supported thereby, said sheet having a width intermediate said straps substantially greater than the width of said band and formed with longitudinally extending, expansible folds to provide a portion adapted to be extended between said straps and transversely thereof to form a pocket for receiving and supporting a colostomy pad in applied position.

9. A colostomy belt comprising a back band portion of flexible, elastically extensible material having its opposite ends connected by relatively narrow frontal straps of flexible, elastically extensible material attached tov said ends adjacent opposite edges of said band and extending in spaced relation with each other lbetween said band' ends, means for adjusting the lengths of said straps, button type snap fastening means for detachably connecting said straps to said band at one end thereof, a sheet of thin, pliable, impervious, plastic material having its `opposite edge portions formed with beadings slidably receiving said straps respectively and yieldably supported thereby, said sheet having a width intermediate said straps substantially greater than the width of said band and formed with longitudinally extending, expansible folds and stitching securing said folds together at each end of said sheet, to provide a portion adapted to be extended between said straps and transversely thereof to form a pocket for receiving and supporting a colostomy pad in applied position.

10. A colostomy belt comprising a back band portion of exible, elastically extensible material having its opposite ends `connected by relatively narrow frontal straps of flexible, elastically extensible material attached to said ends adjacent opposite edges of said band and extending in spaced relation with each other between said band ends, means for adjusting the lengths of said straps, means for detachably connecting said straps to said band at one end thereof, a tubular length of thin, pliable, impervious, plastic material through which said straps are passed to support the same therebetween in the form of a two-ply sheet having a width intermediate said straps substantially greater than the width of said band, said sheet being formed with a series of transversely spaced slits and a.

tape at each end of said sheet having one end securedv to one of said straps and the other end detachably secured to the other strap, said tapes being threaded through said slits in said sheet to gather the same in folds adapted to be distended between said straps and transversely thereof to form a pocket for receiving and supporting a colostomy pad in applied position.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 721,619 Taylor Feb. 24, 1903 2,002,931 Bowman May 28, 1935 2,688,327 Berg Sept. 7, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 76,104 Norway Jan. 16, 1950 

